Steve spend more than two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the South Pacific working to help business owners start or improve an existing business. Each week, Steve wrote about his experiences in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

SUMMARY

Steve Hunsicker describes his life as an adventure. An adventure that has taken him around the world, into the underwater world of the Atlantic and Pacific and in the executive offices of television news. He has been regularly quoted in newspapers, magazines and on television. His adventures as a Peace Corps volunteer inspired two books and lead to his current position as the South Florida recruiter for Peace Corps. Steve spends his time speaking with people who are interested in volunteering overseas and interviewing Peace Corps applicants. Steve was a business development volunteer in the Kingdom of Tonga. As a volunteer, Steve helped more than 500 small‐business owners start or expand businesses in one‐on-one settings and workshops. He created websites for four Tongan businesses; he tutored students on business topics at the University of the South Pacific and produced several videos including one for Peace Corps to explain Tonga to incoming volunteers.

Before volunteering with the Peace Corps, Steve spent 23 years in Television News, including 15 years with Freedom Communications the company that owns WPEC CBS 12, in West Palm Beach. At WPEC, Steve was the Executive News Director, responsible for eight hours of local news every day on WPEC and WFLX Fox 29.

Prior to joining WPEC, he was the News Director at Freedom's WTVC's NewsChannel 9, the top rated station in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Steve began his TV career in Tallahassee, Florida and has also run TV News Departments in Gainesville, Florida, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Honolulu, Hawaii.

PUBLICATIONS

After a 23 year career in TV News, Steve Hunsicker left the comforts of his Florida home, moved to the South Pacific and served for more than two years as Peace Corps Volunteer.

This chronological account of his adventures begins from the day he first decided to apply to Peace Corps until the day he finished his service. Through his stories the reader will gain a great insight into not only the Peace Corps but life in the South Pacific.

Steve's story is a great read for anyone who has wanted to leave the world of corporate America and experience a simpler experience.

The beginning of the book deals a lot with the process of applying to Peace Corps, but once Steve arrives in Tonga, the stories and numerous photos bring to life the people and the culture of the island Kingdom.

The book is available in both printed and electronic form from Amazon.com and other bookstores.

Tonga has eluded outsiders for much of its history. From the imperial powers of Europe to modern-day travelers, Tonga has often been overlooked amongst the South Pacific island nations. But for those who do venture to this archipelago nation, a timeless Polynesian experience awaits; one that is all its own. The writers of this guidebook each lived, worked and played throughout Tonga as Peace Corps Volunteers. They lived with local families, learned village life, and experienced this fascinating country like few outsiders have before. Each writes of the island group where they lived - all reviews are from first-hand experience and local insider information. This comprehensive guidebook covers cultural norms (such as the eyebrow flick and greeting sniff), explains the curious clothing fashions, and divulges secret spots known only to locals. To see the real Tonga and to travel like a local, this book is a must.

Swim with Whales Tonga is one of only two places in the world where visitors can snorkel alongside these magnificent creatures. The best island groups for whale encounters are Vava u and Ha apai.